ROI of DEI - White paper
How to show corporate buyers that their investment in DEI will pay for itself
For DEI Consultants in DEI space who want to win budget buy-in
10 pages (PDF) - Updated January 2026
- Struggling to show the ROI of DEI in a way your buyer actually cares about?
- Finding it hard to link your work to retention & risk in plain numbers?
- Tired of drowning in stats just to prove one point in a budget meeting?
- one simple number: "here's what you're already paying in people-risk"
- a clear picture: "here's where that risk is concentrated"
- and a 90-day, no-new-budget test leaders feel safe saying yes to.
- discover a framework that helps you spot your most profitable buyers
- find the one business priority (usually retention) that gets buy-in moving immediately
- turn 100 messy data points into one conservative figure + one testable plan your buyer will open the budget for
Imagine if you could walk into your next client call with:
Imagine if you could:
ROI of DEI White Paper will help you:
- Calculate a baseline people-cost your buyers already recognise as real (using headcount, salary bands, and turnover).
- Use a short Cost & Culture assessment to estimate preventable people-risk tied to DEI / culture gaps.
- Turn that into a simple scorecard + 90-day,no-new-budget plan you can use as an attraction offer with real clients.
Studies that inspired me to write the White Paper
Instant Access Guarentee +5-Day Email Series
- Instant access to the PDF white paper in your inbox - no waiting, no paywall.
- For the next 5 days, you'll also receive a short, step-by-step email series breaking down the Cost & Culture Review:
- Day 1: Baseline people-cost
- Day 2: Risk profile & preventable people-risk
- Day 3: Scorecard design & interpretation
- Day 4: 90-day, no-new-budget plan
- Day 5: Talk track for real sales conversations
Each email takes under 3 minutes to read and gives you one concrete action to apply with a real or ideal client
Testimonials
The ROI of DEI. Does it exist? Can DEI be quantified and distilled into a relative return? Unequivocally, the answer is yes. A deeper question is, 'How do you accomplish this'? This white paper will help practitioners do just that: quantify the ROI. Thanks to Vikram Shetty for taking the lead on this.
Certified Diversity Executive
Vikram, you are definitely on to something here, and adding a reference/comparable to a similar industry that is not aligning business metrics to the ROI of DEI would be a powerful addition in a discovery conversation with your model.
AVP, National Diversity Council
I've had the privilege of witnessing Vikram's unique approach to business, community, and human relationships, and I can confidently say he is one of the most innovative thinkers in the field. His ability to bridge the gap between DEI and business impact is not just insightful—it’s game-changing. His work challenges outdated models and provides actionable, results-driven strategies that make a real difference. If you’re looking for someone who doesn’t just follow trends but sets them, Vikram is the one to watch.
DEI & Culture Strategist
I thought it was a super smart document... of the way that you laid out the challenges today in DEI. You essentially have to find a way to make the argument to people that this is not a nice to have. This is a need to have and that there is an ROI to this work. I think very smartly you have laid out six key areas that organizations and leaders should be reflecting on. I mentioned it to the leadership in my organization, and they were really excited about this work. [It helps] to convince them that this is something that is a strategic investment for us as an organization for the long term... Your white paper in a very smart way lays out the opportunities here.
Inclusion Expert
Vikram Shetty's ROI of DEI is a must read for any DEI consultancy and practitioner. The white paper offers a step by step guide on how to help commissioners see the value of DEI work, and helps you go well beyond “you should do this because it is the right thing to do”. An invaluable resource.
EDI Consultant
Great white paper, Vikram! My key takeaway is that we need to move away from “one size fits all” approaches to DEI consulting. Positive business outcomes can only be achieved with targeted and tailored DEI initiatives. And a sure way to figure out what a business truly needs is to conduct an assessment. Love it!
Founder of DEI Pro Finder
I love how this white paper provides a practical approach to demonstrating the ROI of DEI initiatives. The step-by-step guide to creating an ROI of DEI assessment is particularly helpful, offering a structured framework for consultants to effectively showcase the tangible benefits of their work. I think this can support internal DEI leaders looking to make the business case for their work as well! I highly recommend this white paper to anyone seeking to make a more compelling case for DEI.
DEI Practitioner
This white paper puts the psychodynamic approach into a business context in a very satisfying way. When approaching a consulting project, we must consider the emotional life of the organisation in order to make sustainable change, and that means addressing the unconscious motivations of the decision-makers. This can often feel vulnerable for leaders, and what Shetty has done here, is reframe the questions so that we can deliver a change project that suits not just their goals, but their drives. It's so exciting to have this in the world, and I look forward to seeing the change it will make.
Accessibility Consultant
The white paper is excellent! Most of my work falls under these frameworks. For those that are looking to escalate to more technical DEI work and strategy, this resource will help elevate your work.
DEI Consultant | Outdoor Industry
The white paper is really helpful - appreciate you sharing it. As a DEI and Social Impact Measurement consultant based in Australia, I believe it will be a really useful resource for communicating the importance of DEI and engaging the corporate sector.
DEI Consultant
Leading with business ROI of DEI is always a good starting point, and this white paper shows you how to do it. The best part of the white paper is that it has designed the framework using the KISS (Keep It Simple, Silly) method. The simplicity of the diagram's explanation makes it easy to understand. I can see how this can be a powerful tool for the consultant during a sales interview. I really appreciated the white paper that I have utilized in my workplace assessments
Psychological H&S Consultant
The reality is that much of DEI faces pushback because it often lacks the metrics to demonstrate its impact. Historically, the primary focus has been on the social imperative, which, while essential, is not enough to win over skeptics. Vikram’s whitepaper, ROI of DEI - How to Show Corporate Buyers That Their Investment in DEI Will Pay for Itself, masterfully combines insight and practicality, emphasizing where companies have fallen short by focusing solely on compliance. DEI must go beyond justice and compliance to show its value in driving profitability and improving the bottom line. This whitepaper offers actionable strategies, compelling data, and real-world examples, making it an invaluable resource for DEI champions. As Vikram aptly states, “DEI is a vital business strategy that can boost profitability, foster workplace trust, and drive revenue growth.”
CEO of Cultural Infusion
This white paper gave me a TON to think about - so thank you for that (blows through the rest of the day and not looking at my to do list...)
DEI Consultant
It’s full of clearly evidenced good advice, so I imagine that DEI consultants will find it very valuable.
Certified facilitator of LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®
ROI of DEI is s much-needed tool for any DEI professional, as we often find ourselves trapped in the questions regarding the business value of DEI, Vikram has given us a framework to navigate such critical conversations and also provided us key actionable insights backed by evidence. Congratulations.
Co-founder Billion Strong | Disability Consultant
I firmly believe your White Paper validates the fact that a deeper understanding of DEIB is needed to understand it's impact on business ROI and the bottom line. ROI of DEI can act as the foundation for DEIB initiatives, overall infrastructure and development of policies and procedures.
DEIB Speaker
It was such a well-written paper, so well done on that! I really liked that the gap between DEI and business value was bridged. It was helpful that there were also credible studies that supported this.
DEI Consultant
Your suggestion to demonstrate the ROI of DEI is crucial. The idea of an assessment framework tailored for corporate buyers is excellent, and the overall tone is professional and informative.
Academic Researcher
DEI consultants can now use this simple questionnaire structure to define relevant business-driven DEI metrics, not just aligning these metrics back to the business results but also showcasing how these will contribute to the desired ROI for the business. It is a great cheat sheet, indeed.
DEI Business Process Expert
In the ever evolving landscape of DEI, Vikram offers you key actionable insights as to how to measure your DEI initiatives, obtain impact, and receive value in return.
Host of Environmental Social Justice
The ROI of DEI white paper is fantastic.
Board of Director
First of all; thank you for writing this extremely important white paper. As the world is run by money, making the DEI "talk money" is now more important than ever.
DEI-Ambassador | Head of Marketing
I had a read through your white paper it’s a really smart way of linking the work people like me do with the kind of outcomes businesses actually pay attention to. I can definitely see how that kind of framework could strengthen accessibility and lived experience-led training.
Specialist in Inclusive & Accessible Learning
I've read your whitepaper and can see the value of having the framework and scorecard to measure DEI and the ROI of it. So, I can understand how DEI Consultants would use this to support them in their conversations with clients. I already use a framework and scorecard in my consultancy, so I recognise this as a game-changer when working with clients.
Inclusive Culture Change Leader
News that matters to DEI Consultants
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this White Paper for?
Consultants in the DEI space.
What will I learn from the White Paper?
You’ll learn a practical way to talk about the ROI of DEI that:
- starts with baseline people-cost (what your clients are already paying),
- uses a simple risk profile to estimate how much of that is plausibly DEI / culture-driven,
- and ends with a clear, testable 90-day plan instead of vague promises.
You’ll also see the full Cost & Culture framework that underpins my work:
baseline → risk → scorecard → 90-day plan → conversation.
If you stay subscribed to the emails, you’ll see examples of how to deliver this at scale
in a way that’s predictable and repeatable.
Why are you writing this White Paper?
Most DEI consultants I meet are driven by ethics and values. They come from a strong moral compass. But inside companies, success is usually measured in revenue, profit, retention, and risk. Bridging that gap isn’t “selling out” — it’s what keeps DEI funded. If you truly care about DEI, you need a way to say: “Here’s how our work reduces regretted churn, stabilises teams, and protects value.” Imagine the impact if you could double the number of clients you serve, without burning out. When you can show the business benefits of your work clearly, you’re not diluting the mission — you’re protecting it. That’s why I wrote this paper.
What is the ultimate goal of this white paper?
My goal is to share a framework DEI consultants can start using within five days –
without extra software or big budgets – to:
- attract warmer leads,
- save wobbly renewals,
- and move toward (or beyond) six-figure annual revenue.
Long-term, my mission is simple:
“to equip 100+ DEI consultants with the tools to build profitable, resilient practices
so they can do more of the work that changes lives.”
What do I hope this white paper does for you?
I hope it gives you two things:
1. A way to see your own work through a business lens – especially retention and people-risk.
2. An easy way to communicate that lens to corporate buyers without sounding like you’ve sold your soul to finance.
The real magic happens when you start implementing it:
- using it in proposals and renewal calls,
- turning small wins into data-backed stories,
- reinvesting that revenue into your own practice and impact.
How long did it take to publish the paper?
This has been one of my longest writing projects. 1. I originally wrote it as part of a 50-day writing challenge and finished the first version in 84 days, sharing drafts on LinkedIn as I went. 2. A year later, after 250+ conversations with DEI consultants over two years, I went back and updated it to reflect what actually works now: – less generic stats, – more Cost & Culture thinking, – tighter focus on retention and people-risk.
Who else can benefit from the ideas in the white paper?
Anyone working in the DEI business ecosystem who needs to show impact in business terms can benefit, including:
- DEI recruiters
- DEI / leadership training organisations
- Non-profits and think tanks
- Investment and membership communities
- Inclusion consultancies and management companies
- Research and benchmarking organisations
- Shareholder advocacy groups and industry associations
If they need to connect DEI work to retention, risk, and ROI, the core ideas in this white paper apply.
Who has reviewed this paper?
The white paper is reviewed by people in the DEI community with job titles including Board of Directors, DEI-Ambassador | Head of Marketing, DEI Consultant, Certified Diversity Executive, Founders, Inclusive Culture Change Leader, Podcast Host, Diversity & Inclusion facilitator, TedX Speaker and others.
Can I read the white paper on mobile?
Yes, you can, and for the best reading experience would be to turn the phone horizontally. The format of the white paper is kept simple and can be read in one flow.
Who wrote this page, anyway?
Vikram Shetty is a Director at 73bit Limited, where he is involved in business development and company culture. Prior to that, he worked in the IT sector, with nearly 20 years of experience. He is also the host of a podcast named ROI of DEI — a business growth podcast for DEI consultants (over 200 episodes). Since 2020, he has published a weekly newsletter on LinkedIn, Building Our Team.
73bit provides Assessment software for publishing scorecards for DEI Consultants, Agencies, Think Tanks, and others. We have helped our clients with DEI Audits, Diagnostics, Workplace Equity Scorecards, Inclusive Leadership 360-assessment, Self-Assessments, Talent Inclusion and diversity Evaluation, Inclusion Index Benchmarking Tool, DEI Maturity Model Discovery, etc.